The Promise of Rest.

TEXT: Hebrews 4:1-11

Hebrews 4:1–11 (NLT)

1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.

3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’ ” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.

4 We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”

5 But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”

6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.

7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come.

9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.

10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.

11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

INTRODUCTION:

Some men remind me of a poor immigrant who was discovered walking on the tracks of a railroad in New Jersey. On his back he carried a huge bulk and as he trudged on, worn and weary, he resembled Bunyan's pilgrim with his burden. In passing a station an agent ordered him off the track, reminding him that he was liable to arrest for trespassing. The man demurred and produced a railroad ticket good for passage from Jersey City to Scranton. The agent looked at him in amazement and asked why he was walking when he might ride. The stranger replied that he thought the ticket gave him only the privilege of walking over the road. His right was explained to him and the tired man with delight boarded the first train for his destination. Surely the angels must look with wonderment at the thousands who trudge along, anxious and careworn, bearing life's burdens without divine help and future hope, for every soul carries in the conscience the ticket of divine promise: "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee" (Job 22:21).

I. THE PROMISE OF REST (Hebrews 4:1a).

Hebrews 4:1a (NLT)

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

A. God has given a promise.

1. God’s promise is definite.

2. God’s promise is sure.

a. God will faithfully bring His promises to pass.

B. God has promised rest for His children.

1. κατάπαυσις = 1 a putting to rest. 1a calming of the winds. 2 a resting place. 2a metaph. the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended.

2. He has promised a rest from the cares of this life for eternity.( Hebrews 10:23; Titus 1:2).

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Titus 1:2 (NLT)

This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.

3. He has promised rest in the storm of this life (John 14:27; Matthew 11:28).

John 14:27 (NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

C. Everything that is needed to fulfill the promise of rest is completed (Hebrews 4:3b)

Hebrews 4:3b (NLT)

3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’ ” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.

1. γίνομαι = to be made, finished.

2. He has made a prepared place for believers (John 14:3).

John 14:3 (NLT)

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

3. He has completed the work needed to get you to that prepared place (John 19:30).

John 19:30 (NLT)

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

4. He has completed the work to give you rest now. (Romans 10:4 ; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 2:14-15 ).

Romans 10:4 (NLT)

For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Hebrews 10:14 (NLT)

For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 2:14–15 (NLT)

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

II. THE PROBLEM THAT PREVENTS REST (Hebrews 4:1b-3,6-7)

A. It is possible to miss God’s promise (Hebrews 4:1b).

Hebrews 4:1b (NLT)

1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

1. ὑστερέω = to come late or too tardily. To be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end.

a. Some people live their whole lives without entering the rest God wants to give them.

2. God offers rest but will not force it upon you.

B. Ignoring God’s Word will cause us to miss God’s promise. (Hebrews 4:2).

Hebrews 4:2 (NLT)

For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.

1. Hearing God’s Word must be followed by acting in faith on it (James 2:20, 26).

James 2:20 (NLT)

20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

James 2:26 (NLT)

26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

2. Neglecting to follow up on what God says is dangerous (Heb. 2:3).

Hebrews 2:3 (NLT)

3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

C. Unbelief of God’s Word is the problem that will cause us to miss our rest. (Hebrews 4:6-7).

Hebrews 4:6–7 (NLT)

6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.

7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

1. Unbelief leads to a hard heart.

a. ἀπείθεια = obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will.

II. THE PLAN FOR ENTERING REST (Hebrews 4:10-11)

A. Quit trying to work to earn your rest. (Hebrews 4: 10).

Hebrews 4:10 (NLT)

10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.

1. You must cease attempting to work your way to heaven (Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Romans 3:20 (NLT)

20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Romans 3:28 (NLT)

28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

Galatians 2:16 (NLT)

16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NLT)

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

B. Let your work be aimed at absolute faith in God (Hebrews4:11).

Hebrews 4:11 (NLT)

11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

1. It is time to get busy in pursuing His rest.

(a) Learning about Him.

a. Through study of His Word.

b. Through serious a prayer life.

c. Through steadfast obedience.

CONCLUSION:

Peter Eldersveld tells of a rich Christian who had a large company of employees, and many of them owed him money. He was constantly trying to teach them something about Christianity, and one day he hit upon a plan. He posted a notice for his employees to see that said, "All those who will come to my office between eleven and twelve o'clock on Thursday morning to present an honest statement of their debts will have them canceled at once." The debtors read the notice with a great deal of skepticism, and on Thursday morning, although they gathered in the street in front of his office, not one of them went to the door. Instead they gossiped and complained about their employer, and ridiculed the notice he had posted. They said it didn't make sense.

But finally, at 11:45, one man jumped forward, dashed up the steps into the office, and presented his statement. "Why are you here?" the rich man asked him. "Because you promised to cancel the debts of all those who would come as you instructed," the other replied. "And do you believe the promise?" "Yes, I do." "Why do you believe it?" persisted the employer. "Because, although it was too much for me to understand, I know that you are a good man who would not deceive anyone." The rich man took the bill and marked it "Paid in full," at which time the poor man, overcome, cried out, "I knew it! I told them so! They said it couldn't be true, and now I'm going out to show them." "Wait," said his benefactor, "it's not quite twelve o'clock. The others are not entitled to any special proof of my sincerity." When the clock struck twelve, the forgiven debtor ran out waving his receipt in the face of his fellows. With a mad rush they made for the door, but it was too late. The door was locked.